Weekly Timeless Wardrobe, Week 22

Week 22 of the Weekly Timeless Wardrobe have arrived.  You can find Week 22 here.  The introduction chart is always a good place to start if you are just now bumping into this series.  Note: as the series progresses, the chart changes a wee bit.  It should be shown on the weekly posting at the bottom.   

Week 22 is a neutral print or pattern top.  It's time to have a little bit of fun with our tops.  This time we get to pick anything we want - a t-shirt, a button-up, etc.  You get the idea.  

I love the idea of another button-up shirt of some kind using the same patterns as in Week 21.  However, I have yet to get a shirt pattern fitted.  I do know that I would wear a t-shirt a lot.  I would use one of these patterns:

This is the Sihoulttes pattern #195 Sweater Set.  Once fitted you can make many variations. 

This is Stretch & Sew #333 T-Shirt Collection.  It is long out of print but can be found occassionally.  I have made View A many times.  

Are you following along with this series?  How are you using this to help with your wardrobe?  Any additional helpful information?

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Matching Shell and Pencil Skirt

There is nothing like a great pencil skirt and having a matching shell could give the look of a sheath dress. 

This is St John's Milano Knit Pencil Skirt and Milano Knit Contour Tank.  Price tag:  tank - $295.00, skirt - $395.00.  Details:  tank - zipper (assumed side), fit - traditional, fabric - knit wool/rayon blend;  skirt: closure - zip and hook and eye, fit - tradtional, lenght - 23inches, fabric - knit wool/rayon blend.

The prices on these items are outside my comfort zone.  However this is why I sew, so I can create the items I want.  Here are my thoughts:

The tank:

This is The New Versatile Twin Set pattern by Pamela's Patterns.   The Sleeveless Top is a great pattern to match up with the tank on the inspiration picture.  To bring it in closer to the body, you would need to add a zipper at the side.

The skirt -

This is the Magic Pencil Skirt pattern by Pamela's Patterns.  This is a wonderful pattern and makes a quick pencil.  If you really want the kick pleat, you will need to modify the back pattern by adding a seam and kick pleat.

Both skirt and tank -

This is Vogue 9286.  It is a Lifestyle pattern with 5 pieces.  This could be a versatile pattern.  The tank definitely works for the inspiration photo.  The skirt is a little bit different but would still work nicely.

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Thanksgiving...

Everyone, have a wonderful Thanksgiving!  Enjoy your family and friends.  Safe travels to all those who traveling short or long distances.

Happy Stitching!

Sally's Pants Muslin 3, Part 3

Here's the third set of changes to this muslin:

I released the crotch dart.  Even though there is a bit of funkiness still going on, my husband tells me that it is not always there.  I have elastic to mark the waistband.

I promise I really did press the muslin but these wrinkles are just from putting the pants on and moving around.  The changes here are the crotch dart has been removed, a little bit of width has been added, and the waistband marked. 

I think I'm ready to try this pattern in some fashion fabric.  I'm going to get the changes moved to the pattern.  The next few weeks will be extra busy but I will try to get a pair of pants made. 

If this is successful, I will move on to another type of pants either a knit pant or a pull-on woven pant or perhaps a slimmer legged pant.  Would you be interested in seeing the type of adjustments needed for the different type of pants? 

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Tweed Pants

I love tweed.  I found this pants:

These are the Boden Wide Leg Tweed Pants.  Price tag: $170.00.  Details:  high-waisted, 4 pockets, zip fly with hook and bar closure, wool/viscose blend.  For a closer look, head over to the Nordstrom website.

I really like these pants.  The price tag is a little out of my comfort zone.  In fact, my husband would probably be questioning this purchase and he rarely says anything about my purchases.

So, here's a pant pattern with a similar look:

This is #3600 Ralph's Pant pattern by Silhouette patterns.  Check out reviews on this pattern because you can't really tell anything by the line drawings.  I found found appropriate fabric at Mood.

Hope you're inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Black Friday Sales...

Are you getting involved in the early black friday sales in the sewing world?  It is sooo tempting.  Here are the ones that I have found interesting:

SewingMachinesPlus -  Their sale is huge.  Select sewing machines are an additional 10% off.  There are many supplies on sale also.  Well worth checking out these sales.  Don't forget to check the Clearance bin.  You never know what may be lurking there.

Silhouette Patterns - This is a great time to stock up on quality elastic and interfacing.

Nancy's Notions - Many bargains to be found here especially if you're a quilter.

Fabric dot com -  This company is having a 30 to 40 off select items.

I have no doubt that there are more sales out there that I'm not aware of yet.  I have gotten involved in some of these sales.

Happy Stitching!

(This post contains an affliliate link.  If you used the link to purchase something, I would get a small commission at no additional charge to you.)

Weekly Timeless Wardrobe, Week 21

Week 21 of the Weekly Timeless Wardrobe have arrived.  You can find Week 21 here.  The introduction chart is always a good place to start if you are just now bumping into this series.  Note: as the series progresses, the chart changes a wee bit.  It should be shown on the weekly posting at the bottom.   Note: as the series progresses, the chart changes a wee bit.  It should be shown on the weekly posting at the bottom.

Week 21 is a warm shirt.  The shirt is shown as a flannel shirt.  A warm shirt doesn't necessarily need to be flannel but flannel is certainly a classic shirt especially in a plaid.  You could consider a corduroy shirt.  I would like to add a flannel shirt but I don't know if I will have the time. I really need to get a shirt pattern fitted.  Here are a couple of pattern options:

This is the Archer Button Up pattern by Grainline Studio.   View A is a classic shirt pattern.  This one is in my stash and I will need to get it fitted.  

This pattern would also work:

This is the Classic Shirt by Liesl & Co.  Although this pattern gives you the same basic silhouette as the Archer, this one has a darts which will give it a better fit.  

As always, if you already have a shirt pattern that is fitted.  Use it.  Save the pattern dollars and spend it on fabric.  Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

(This post contains an affliliate link.  If you used the link to purchase something, I would get a small commission at no additional charge to you.)

Inspiration...Button Front Skirt

Button front skirts remind me of the 70s and 80s.  Here's a great skirt:

This is the Boden Isabel Stitch Detail Skirt.  Price tag: $110.00.  Details: cotton blend, fitted straight shape, sits at natural waist, length to lower calf, two front pockets, detached self fabric belt, functional front placket.  Check the Boden USA website for a closer look at the details.

This would be a great every day basic skirt.  Pick your favorite neutral.

This is Silhoutte Patterns Vera's Skirt.  It is the basic woven skirt pattern for this company.  It is not a perfect match to the inspiration pattern but it would be easy to modify once it is fitted.    Just add a waistband, center back seam, and kick pleat. 

Happy Stitching!

Sally's Pants Muslin 3 Part 2

Here's part 2 of the third muslin:

I've stitched the lower front dart, shortened the front waist dart, added width to front, and added a dart at the crotch.  The front is looking fairly good.  I'm thinking that I will increase the width in the front again.

On the back, I have stitched the hip dart, pinned in a crotch dart, made the darts deeper, and removed width across the upper back.  This seems to be going backward a little bit. 

I can see more wrinkles compared to the last version of the muslin.  I think this is an indication that the pinned in dart isn't good.  I'm going to back off the pinned darts, make the mentioned changes to the front, give the muslin a little press, and see how the muslin looks.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Wrap Skirt

When was the last time you made a wrap skirt?  It has been a while for me.  Here's a lovely wrap skirt to consider:

This is the Boden Constance Wrap Skirt.  Price tag: $130.00.  Details:  Wool Blend Fabric, midi length, fully lined, true wrap with internal button closure and d-ring detail at waist. For a closer look, go to the Boden USA website.

Actually, this isn't a terrible price for a skirt.  We can do better though making our own.  The following pattern is a pretty good match:

This is Indygo Junction's Sidekick Wrap Skirt.  With a tiny bit of pattern manipulation, you can easier recreate the Boden skirt - narrow the waistband, lengthen skirt to correct length, and add a lining.

What are your thoughts?  Do you like wearing skirts with boots?  Hope your inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Weekly Timeless Wardrobe, Week 20

Week 20 of the Weekly Timeless Wardrobe have arrived.  You can find Week 20 here.  The introduction chart is always a good place to start if you are just now bumping into this series.  Note: as the series progresses, the chart changes a wee bit.  It should be shown on the weekly posting at the bottom.   Note: as the series progresses, the chart changes a wee bit.  It should be shown on the weekly posting at the bottom.

Week 20 is a dark neutral warm cardigan.  I have about 4 cardigans in the closet right now.  However I am planning to make a dark grey cardigan in a sweater knit using this pattern:

This is Hugs's Favorite Cardigan by Silhouette Patterns.  This is a favorite among Silhouette fans.  I'm not ready to make it yet but maybe I will have it made before the end of the year.  

The weather has turned cold here and I'm finding that the planning I've been doing isn't going so well.  I like having the ability to reach in and grab an outfit without giving it much thought.  Right now, I'm not able to do that well.  Some more thought needs to be given. 

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Chino Skirt

Skirts. Skirts. Skirts.  Do you like wearing skirts?  I like having skirts that are easy to wear and go with everything in the wardrobe.  Few skirts actually fit that description but this one might:

This is the Boden Daisy skirt.  Price tag: $65.00.  Details:  Cotton or cotton/lycra blend, fitted straight shape, sits below natural waist, finishes above knee, 2 front pockets, unlined, exposed back zip.

The only thing I'm not excited about on this skirt is the exposed back zip.  Otherwise, this is the perfect everyday skirt.  The Boden USA website has 4 colors/variations on this skirt and you really should check them out so you can see the details a little closer  Here's a pattern that will work fairly well for this skirt:

This is Colette Selene skirt pattern.   View 3 is almost identical to the Boden skirt.  Small change - don't cut out the detail on the pocket.  That's it folks. 

This skirt is already on my list of things to do  Except I'm making it in a dark charcoal stretch woven.  Hopefully, it will get made soon.  Then I want to think about something similar to the inspiration skirt but perhaps in a navy twill.  Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Pant Muslin #3 - Sally's Pant

This is my third muslin but the first muslin in this size.  I ditched the size 18 as I felt that it was just tight and I didn't really have enough seam allowance to let it out. The new size that I chose is a 22w.  Even though the size makes me feel huge, I realize that I'm not a skinny chick anymore.  So, here we go:

Here's the front straight from the pattern. It's not too bad.  You can see the tuck that will need to happen near the waistline.  I think I still need a little bit of room in the high hip/belly area.  I will be letting out the front seam a little bit.

Here's the back straight from the pattern.  It's not too bad.  Certainly not any worse than a purchased pair of pants.  You can see the tuck from the front is wrapping to the back this will be a dart that goes all the way to the center back seam.  What can't really see in the picture is that there is two or three inches of extra fabric around the back waist.  I will make the darts a little wider/shorter and the back side seam a little bit bigger.

Here I have pinned out a hipline dart.  Doesn't that leg look much better?

Here I have pinned out a dart across the front.  It looks a little better.   After this picture was taken, the photographer said that it looks a little funny under that dart on the right.  I pinned a wee bit deeper seam and asked if that was better.  The answer was yes.

Unfortunately, this isn't stash fabric.  It also isn't a fabric that I would use to make a pair of pants.  I was unable to locate any non-stretch pant fabric.  Oh, I found suiting on-line that would have been suitable but $15/yard is a bit steep for a muslin.

I will be taking this round a bit slower.  I'm not going to be showing the stitched darts till the next post on the muslin.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Grid Blouse

Today, I've found a really lovely blouse:

This is the Lafayetter 148 New York Scottie Greenwich Grid Button-Down Blouse.  Price tag: $348.00.  Details:  stretch cotton, spread collar, button front, long sleeves, button cuffs, box pleat, relaxed silhouette, shirttail hem.  The major detail that isn't mentioned but can be seen is the that cuffs, the collar, and the york are on the bias.  This is what makes this top special. Be sure to head over to Neiman Marcus to see a close-up of this blouse.  Here are the patterns:

This is the Archer Button Up pattern by Grainline Studio.  To achieve a similar top, don't add the pocket.   Put the pattern pieces for the collar, cuffs, and yoke on the bias.  To do this, simply put the rule on a 45 degree angle from the straight of grain line and draw it in.  You might need additional fabric for this detail.

This pattern would also work:

This is the Classic Shirt by Liesl & Co.  Although this pattern gives you the same basic silhouette as the Archer, this one has a darts which will give it a better fit.  Same changes as listed above for the bias items.  Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

(This post contains an affliliate link.  If you used the link to purchase something, I would get a small commission at no additional charge to you.)

Weekly Timeless Wardrobe, Week 19

Week 19 of the Weekly Timeless Wardrobe have arrived.  You can find Week 19 here.  The introduction chart is always a good place to start if you are just now bumping into this series.  Note: as the series progresses, the chart changes a wee bit.  It should be shown on the weekly posting at the bottom.   Note: as the series progresses, the chart changes a wee bit.  It should be shown on the weekly posting at the bottom.

This week's item is a dark neutral pant.  You should consider something that is a little bit on the dressy side.  This way you could easily wear it to holiday parties.  This one is easy for me.  I recently purchased a pair of gray pants from Christopher and Banks:

This is the Everyday Trouser with a relaxed fit.  This is a great pant style.  They are a high waisted pant made with a stretch fabric.  For me, this style of pant works better with the stretch fabric.

I do think that my pant collection is finished for a long while.  I own three pair of black pants in various fabrics, two pair of gray pants, one pair of navy pants, and a couple of jeans.  I have been working on fitting a pant pattern so that will be the only way additional pants are added to the collection.  Must reduce the stash.

Are you following along with this series?  How are you using this to help with your wardrobe?  Any additional helpful information?

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Tie-Neck Blouse

A lovely version of a tie-neck blouse -

This is the Diana Leopard Printed Silk Tie-Neck Blouse by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price: $598.00.  Details:  Spread collar with self tie straps, concealed button front, long sleeves with button cuffs, center back box pleat, relaxed fit, shirt tail hem.  For a closer look, head over to Neiman Marcus and do a search.

This is really a lovely blouse.  However, the price tag is way outside my comfort zone.  Use this pattern:

This is the Grainline Studio Archer pattern.  This is a classic button-down shirt.  I know I pull this one out for every shirt in this style but it is in my collection.  Use whatever pattern you own or have fitted.  As far as the concealed button front instructions, there are links to a couple of tutorials here.  For the neck tie, I generally just cut a strip the width of the fabric, stitch it, and turn.  Here's another option for the shirt:

This is the Classic Shirt by Liesl & Co.  Although this pattern gives you the same basic silhouette as the Archer, this one has a darts which will give it a better fit.

What are your thoughts on the return of blouse with high waisted pants?  So far, I am liking this and hope it stays around for a long while.   Hope you're inspired to make something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Weekly Timeless Wardrobe, Week 18

Week 18 of the Weekly Timeless Wardrobe have arrived.  You can find Week 18 here.  The introduction chart is always a good place to start if you are just now bumping into this series.  Note: as the series progresses, the chart changes a wee bit.  It should be shown on the weekly posting at the bottom.

This week's item is corduroy pants in a dark neutral.  They could also be canvas or velvet just no denim.  Although a pair of elastic waist corduroy pants would be nice, I have decided not to replace the black jeans.  Yes, I understand that they are denim but I have far more pants than anything else in my closet.  I would rather apply that money toward some additional tops/blouses whether I decide to make them or buy them.

Here's my black jeans:

These are Everday Straight Jean Relaxed Fit by Christopher and Banks.  These jeans sit at the natural waist and are very comfortable.   Just head over to the Christopher and Banks website for a closer look at the various styles of jeans/pants.


Are you following along with this series?  How are you using this to help with your wardrobe?  Any additional helpful information?

Happy Stitching!